Saints Bring Back Hamline University Product Dan Kaczrowski

ST. PAUL, MNApril 8, 2013

ST. PAUL, MN (April 8, 2013) – The 2013 version of the St. Paul Saints is looking a lot like New Kids on the Block: play together for a while, go their separate ways and then bring the band back together for one more go at it. The Saints signed their fifth player this off-season that used to play for the organization, but was with an affiliated organization when 2012 ended. This time they brought back infielder, and Hamline University graduate, Dan Kaczrowski.

The 26-year-old Kaczrowski joined the Saints in 2009 upon finishing his season at Hamline. His first professional start was a memorable one. After a couple of pinch hitting appearances in his first two games he got his first start on May 31 at Sioux City. He went 3-7 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. The seven at bats in a nine inning game tied a Saints franchise record with three others, including hitting coach Lamarr Rogers. Kaczrowski would go on to hit .286 with one homer and five RBI in 12 games. In 42 at bats he had one double, scored eight runs, a slugging percentage of .381 and an on base percentage of .348.

On the second day of the June Amateur Draft, June 10, 2009, Kaczrowski was selected in the 26th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks organization where he has spent the last four seasons. He spent most of the last two seasons at Double-A Mobile and got one at bat at Triple-A Reno. In his four seasons with the Diamondbacks organization he hit .255. Last season at Mobile he hit .225 with one homer and 21 RBI in 83 games. In 200 at bats he scored 21 runs, had six doubles, an on base percentage of .270 and a slugging percentage of .336.

One of Kaczrowski’s best season’s came in 2010 when he split time between Single-A Visalia and Mobile. He hit .266 with three homers and 36 RBI in 117 games. In 418 at bats he scored 58 runs, had 19 doubles, two triples, a .322 on base percentage and a .342 slugging percentage. In his career he has struck out just 139 times in 1116 at bats.

Kaczrowski was named a 2009 All-MIAC Conference player as he hit .463 in MIAC play with a .612 slugging percentage and a .513 on base percentage. He was 15-15 in stolen bases against conference opponents and scored a team high 22 runs in MIAC play.

He helped lead the Pipers to their second straight MIAC playoff appearance and third in four years. Kaczrowski led the conference in stolen bases and was in the top ten in runs scored and hits (third), batting average (fourth) and on base percentage (sixth) in the MIAC.

Kaczrowski had one of the top ten longest streaks in NCAA history going 23-23 in stolen bases that season and was 27-27 dating back to 2008.

During the off-season the Saints have signed 14 players, nine pitchers and five position players. The Saints 2013 season begins on Thursday, May 16 with a 7:05 p.m. home game against the New Jersey Jackals.